USSF agrees pay deal with women’s game ahead of NWSL kick off
April 6 – The long-running and often bitter dispute between the US Soccer Federation and the country’s top female players over wage discrimination has ended.
Concacaf
USL unveils plan to launch Division III league in the US for 2019
By Paul Nicholson
March 31 – The United Soccer League (USL) is expanding again, this time with the launch of a Third Division men’s professional national league that will start play in 2019.
Montagliani stakes claim to 3 automatic slots at 2026 North American World Cup
March 27 – If the United States, Canada and Mexico jointly bid for the 2026 World Cup and are successful, all three should be allowed automatic berths in the competition according to the region’s top administrator.
More Traffic congestion. Telemundo win Trinidad court backing to broadcast qualifiers
By Paul Nicholson
March 23 – The spat over whether US Spanish-speaking network Telemundo would be allowed to broadcast Trinidad and Tobago’s upcoming Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying matches against Panama and Mexico has been resolved at the last minute. A Trinidad judge ruled that broadcaster owns the TV rights and that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has to allow Telemundo access to the stadium that had previously been denied.
Manchester clubs join Barca, Real, Juve, PSG, Roma and Spurs for US extravaganza
By Paul Nicholson
March 22 – The US is set to become the land of Europe’s giant clubs at the end of July in a pre-season football extravaganza that conceivably could feature at least three of Europe’s Big 5 league champions.
Meram pulls out of Iraq World Cup qualifiers fearing travel ban would prevent return to US
March 21 – Iraq wants United States-born striker Justin Meram to rethink his decision not to join up with the squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
Mexico averts referees strike after FA reverses lenient player sanctions to a year ban
March 14 – Two South American players with top Mexican clubs have been banned for a year by the country’s FA following a review of lesser punishments which sparked a referees strike.
ICC brings Real vs Barca’s El Clásico to Miami Hard Rock Stadium
March 13 – The 2017 International Champions Cup (ICC), the ad hoc tournament organised by US sports agency Relevant Sports (RSE), will have as its showpiece match an El Clasico match-up between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
MLS season takes off with record TV viewing, crowds and Etihad Airways renewal
By Paul Nicholson
March 8 – The growth and interest in Major League Soccer in the US continued to hit new highs with record viewing numbers. and big crowds for the opening weekend of the season. This week the league renewed official airline sponsor Etihad Airways.
El Salvador’s Vasquez escapes extradition but gets 8 year sentence at home
March 7 – The former president of El Salvador’s football federation (FESFUT), who is wanted in the United States for alleged corruption, has been sentenced to eight years in jail for labour fraud.
CONCACAF takes control of Caribbean competitions with opening of Jamaica office
By Paul Nicholson
March 3 – CONCACAF has publicly taken the gloves off in its fight to take control of the Caribbean, announcing it will open its own office in Jamaica later this month. The move will effectively see the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) removed from all competition organisation of qualifying events for CONCACAF championships.
US refuses entry visas to Tibetan women’s team to play in Dallas Cup
March 3 – A women’s team representing Tibet are upset and angry at having been denied visas to take part in a tournament in Texas. Most of the players were Tibetan refugees living in India and had applied at the US embassy in Delhi.
New York City FC and San Antonio FC hook up for 2017 affiliate deal
February 10 – MLS side New York City FC (NYFC) and USL club San Antonio FC have announced a partnership from the 2017 season that will make each club the other’s affiliate. The partnership will cover both playing and commercial departments.
Webb joins US team to oversee introduction of video referees in the MLS
February 8 – Howard Webb, one of the world’s most recognisable and respected referees who has recently been working as a television pundit, has been hired by the body overseeing officiating in MLS to manage the introduction of video assistant referees (VARs).
Frederick remains in charge in USVI as FIFA bangs heads and grant money arrives
By Paul Nicholson
February 6 – The row between stakeholders in the US Virgin Islands that triggered a visit from a FIFA and CONCACAF delegation has calmed but the storm may not be over.